Miami Herald Publisher David Landsberg sent out a memo this evening announcing that Spanish-language El Nuevo Herald editor Humberto Castelló is resigning after seven years at the helm. Even bigger news is Castelló's replacement.

Garcia

Taking the reins as executive editor at the El Nuevo Herald will be current Miami Herald Metro Editor Manny Garcia, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who has been force in the newsroom for several years and metro editor since 2003. The two newspapers are both owned by McClatchy and operate out of the same building at One Herald Plaza on Biscayne Bay in Miami. But Landsberg stressed the idea that they are wholly distinct publications in his memo. "Manny is very excited about opportunity to help grow el Nuevo," Landsberg wrote. "He deeply believes, as I do, in the vision of our company as two distinctive newspapers, serving distinct audiences."

More news to come on Garcia's replacement (we're told it's current Herald Features Editor and former People Magazine Miami Bureau Chief Aminda "Mindy" Marques) and news about further cuts in the editors' ranks at the Herald. Landsberg's full memo can be read after the jump.

Executive Editor Humberto Castelló, who has led our internationally honored Spanish language newspaper for more than seven years, has announced that he will resign his post at the end of the month.

In addition, Managing Editor Tony Espetia, who has played a key role in El Nuevo's newsroom at several times during its history, has decided to retire. Tony will remain in the newsroom until June.

I want to thank both Humberto and Tony for their service and for the journalistic distinction they've brought to El Nuevo over the years, and I will share the highlights of their contributions below.

But first, in the third headline of the day, I am pleased to announce that Manny Garcia, Miami Herald Senior Editor for News, will become El Nuevo Herald's new Executive Editor.

Now, let me take a moment to recognize our departing leadership.

Humberto came to El Nuevo Herald in 1997, after more than a decade in journalism - first at El Nuevo Dia in Puerto Rico, at Multimedia Group in Argentina and at Diario Las Americas, where he was senior editor. He was named El Nuevo's Copy Desk Chief in 1998, Managing Editor in 1999, and, in January 2002, Humberto became Executive Editor of El Nuevo Herald.

Under Humberto's leadership, El Nuevo grew its readership, broke international news on Cuba, Venezuela and Colombia, and was honored on numerous occasions for its accomplishments. Chief among those, in 2005, the National Association of Hispanic Publications named El Nuevo Herald the first place winner in the Outstanding Spanish Newspaper category.

Humberto leaves this newspaper in an incredibly strong position to succeed in a challenging multimedia future, and for that we are extremely grateful. He says he plans to take a long rest....before pursuing other interests, one of which is attending chef's school. .

Tony Espetia's career at MHMC has spanned 25 years and a vast range of responsibilities, including journalism, technology and business development.

Tony started out as a news copy editor for El Miami Herald in 1984, and worked his way up to the managing editor position. He was a key figure in the launch and early growth of El Nuevo Herald as a separate news operation and of El Nuevo's first website.

Among his various titles over the years have been Sports Editor, Systems Editor, pagination guru and Managing Editor of the Herald's International Edition, which grew significantly during his tenure. In June 2007, he returned to the El Nuevo newsroom, again as Managing Editor, and has developed El Nuevo's website into a vibrant 24/7 operation with more traffic than ever.

Tony says he plans to do some traveling with his wife and spend time spoiling his first grandchild. We thank him for all that he's done for the newspaper and for the company.

And now, a word about Manny Garcia..

I know of no journalist better suited to lead El Nuevo Herald's talented staff into the future.

El Nuevo Herald will continue to be a distinctive voice and an independent publication.

Manny was born in Havana, grew up in Miami, and worked as an Emergency Medical Technician before he found his calling as a journalist. He started at the Herald in 1990 at the very bottom of the ladder, as a Neighbors reporter covering cops. He has covered criminal courts, Miami City Hall and reported for the investigative team.

Manny has been a primary writer and reporter on two Pulitzer Prize-winning projects. His reports have changed Florida law, led to the indictments of politicians and forced the state to release of a man wrongly convicted of several murders.

As Metro Editor and in various roles throughout the years, he's worked in collaboration with El Nuevo Herald reporters on shared projects that have made both The Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald proud. He currently serves on the board of directors of Investigative Reporters and Editors, and he's been a teacher, mentor and coach to reporters and editors all over the country.

He's married and has two children, Andrew and Madison.

Manny is very excited about opportunity to help grow el Nuevo. He deeply believes, as I do, in the vision of our company as two distinctive newspapers, serving distinct audiences.

I know you'll join me today in wishing the best to Humberto and Tony, and welcoming Manny to the El Nuevo team.